Hay! What About Horses?

New farm or ranch venture? People are buying farmland left and right, no two properties are the same. Fire and theft are the largest threats to horse safety. Some best risk management practices to keeping equine animals safe:

No smoking. Barns are full of flammable material, so make sure a non-smoking policy is in place for your barn areas and that cobwebs and dung piles are frequently removed.

Fire extinguisher. Have one, or several, onsite and stored properly. Easy enough.

Varied timetables. To thwart off thieves, visit the stable at different times and mix up your schedule; make the yard constantly look busy.

Security lights. Use sensor-operated lights on the grounds to make intruders more visible.

Burglar alarms. An acoustic alarm can signal when someone has entered the stable. This can also help alert others in the area. Become acquainted with neighbors so you can provide additional eyes on one another’s facilities.

Warning signs. Post signs around the property like ‘keep out” or directly mention that there is a security system in place.

Keep items out of sight. Tools, ladders and other possessions should be put away when not in use. Out of sight, out of mind.

Horse identification. Evidence of identification tags make thieves think twice, as they might dismiss taking a microchipped horse due to the ability to track it. Like dogs, it is wise to have your horses chipped in case they are lost or stolen.

- Myrick